The following student report was submitted by Ambassador League Agent Josh E.- during the 2007-2008 League.
Ambassador League - Serve Your Community
For my "Serve your Community" assignment, I helped out at the Student Statesmanship Institute onsite program at Plymouth Christian Academy from April 2nd-3rd. In March, I began to look for an opportunity to complete this assignment and considered several options. My original choice was to fulfill the requirement by spending a Saturday with a friend who works with Habitat for Humanity. I later heard about the SSI onsite program at PCA, and contacted Jeff Visscher to work out the details.
Going into this assignment, I expected to help out with various administrative activities and guide the participants through the mock legislature process. I would sit in on their sessions and help them to form their arguments during the caucus meetings. Looking at the event after the fact, my expectations were fulfilled without deviation.
The first morning, Emily Morcos, another helper and I registered the students, all of whom were either PCA or homeschooled students. There were then introductory sessions, in which Mr. Muffit gave an overview of SSI and the fact that we all have a God-given purpose in life that deserves our full attention. He then discussed the process of mock legislature. Each caucus would have one bill to sponsor and one bill to oppose; they would research their bills and form arguments which would be debated at the legislative hearing at the end of the second day. All students would have to deliver at least one 1-2 minute speech for their bill or against their opponent's bill.
All of the groups divided responsibilities differently. Leaders emerged and delegated tasks to the other members of their caucuses. If was interesting to see different personalities mesh as the teens came together as teams. Students often had to argue positions that they did not hold, which helped them to develop their knowledge of their own opinion on the subject. I thoroughly enjoyed talking with the kids and helping them with their arguments.
The second day was basically the first day on steroids. The staff members held the committee hearings in which the students heard from lobbyists who discussed their bills and gave them further information and arguments. The caucus meetings became more focused as the kids came closer to the actual debate. I had to leave halfway through the second day, but the arguments had been (for the most part) already worked out
It was fun working with the SSI staff members present at the onsite program, including James Muffit and Fred Kummer, as well as my fellow helper, Emily Morcos. As usual in my experience with SSI alumni and staff members, they were articulate and dedicated to serving God in their everyday lives. I had already heard the information in the sessions at the SSI summer camp, but it was still good to refresh my memory. It struck me that, as ambassadors of Christ, we really do not have a choice in what we say or do if we are representing Him! He is the one who needs to be calling the shots.
I had a very interesting talk with Fred Kummer, one of the SSI staff members at the event. We talked about Christian dedication and the need for people of integrity who are willing to fight. The conversation emphasized the importance of SSI and similar programs that train teens how to think and act like Jesus. Many Christians nowadays are tired and distracted. We need dynamic warriors who are willing to get back on the horse when they fail. Overall, I had a great time and am considering helping out at the onsite programs next year just for fun.
